Bryce Harper misses Phillies' doubleheader vs. Braves after being hit by pitch
Bryce Harper missed the Philadelphia Phillies' doubleheader Thursday against the Atlanta Braves, two days after he took a 95.6 mph fastball off his right elbow.
Harper left the Phillies' 2-0 win over the Braves on Tuesday in the first inning after he was struck by a Spencer Strider heater in his previously surgically repaired elbow.
The Phillies announced Tuesday night that Harper suffered a contusion to his right elbow and his X-rays were negative.
With Wednesday's Phillies-Braves game postponed, the club didn't offer an additional update. Before Game 1 Thursday, Thomson said Harper's elbow "was a lot better than we expected" after he received treatment.
"I'm not sure (if he'll be available), but he's doing better," Thomson said. "He came in yesterday for treatment. He's in there now. I believe he still had swelling and was still in pain, but it's a lot better than we expected, so it's making progress. He hasn't swung the bat yet. ... I wouldn't put him in a game until he's comfortable swinging a bat."
After the Phillies secured a series win over Atlanta in Game 1, Thomson said he did not have an additional update on Harper, but that the club's slugger is "feeling better." Harper was not in the lineup for Game 2.
The Phillies don't believe Strider tried to hit Harper, a sentiment the Braves' starter echoed.
"Certainly not trying to hit him. I thought in the moment, I just assumed he had a guard on and was just pissed that I hit him. Then saw him in pain. That was tough. I'm definitely relieved he's OK," Strider said. "He's one of the best players this century. He needs to be on the field. It's best for the game. It's good for us, good to compete against him. Of course, I'm not a complete sociopath, so I have some empathy. I do feel bad for him, to see a person in pain that I caused."
With Harper out, Alec Bohm moved over to first base and Edmundo Sosa played third. Rafael Marchán caught his first game, slugging his first homer of the season and getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the eighth inning, allowing Johan Rojas to score the game-winning run.
Zack Wheeler will start Game 2 against Braves lefty Chris Sale.
J.T. Realmuto is back behind the plate for Game 2, Rojas will start in center field and Weston Wilson will be in left.
Here's the full lineup for Game 2.
- Trea Turner, SS
- Kyle Schwarber, DH
- Alec Bohm, 1B
- Nick Castellanos, RF
- J.T. Realmuto, C
- Edmundo Sosa, 3B
- Weston Wilson, LF
- Bryson Stott, 2B
- Johan Rojas, CF
